Access 2 Independence

Blind Columbus man set world speed record. Now he needs help with costly health equipment

Today is National Purple Heart Day! Take the time to reach out to those you know who were wounded in combat. A2i is located next to the largest Military Post in Georgia and the 5th largest in the Country. As half our staff is prior service we want to recognize those individuals who were wounded defending our Country.

15 minutes until kickoff! We are set up and ready for you to stop by!

From the National Council on Independent Living:

Statement on the 34th Anniversary of the ADA
Today, July 26, 2024, holds great significance for NCIL and over 61 million Americans with disabilities. It marks the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This landmark legislation is crucial in legally ensuring that the basic civil rights of people with disabilities are protected and enforced. Thanks to the ADA, many physical barriers have been removed, and individuals with all types of disabilities are experiencing an improved quality of life.

NCIL acknowledges and celebrates the significant advancements brought about by the ADA. However, we also recognize that this is just the beginning — there is still much work to be done!

Access 2 Independence wants to share the excitement of the Snipes family on their new ADA compliant ramp for Xavier. Prior to the ramp being installed the Snipes family and caretakers had to physically lift Xavier and his chair up 6 steps to get to the landing to access their home. This was a $10,000 project that was free to the Snipes Family because of Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILC) and from donations. Access 2 Independence has completed 78 home modifications over the last 4 years totaling $375,000. We currently have over 40 applications for modifications that we will need your help to complete. If you or someone you know would like to donate or sponsor a specific project please use the link below or stop in to the office at 2000 Hamilton Rd in Columbus or call 706-405-2393.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3CDWNE6MRWMMQ

Come Celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 with the Disability Day in the Park! Come join us at Cooper Creek Park July 26th from 12-5pm.

Happy Mothers Day to all those hard working moms! Enjoy your day!

We are rocking and rolling!

We are setting up at the Civic Center for the RVRC-Area Agency on Aging’s Wellness Fair in Celebration of Older Americans Month. Come on down for some great info, prizes and a great time!

Come check out the A2i staff at the WLTZ Senior Health Expo at the Columbus Trade Center. We will be here until 2pm today. Come get some good information and check out vendors like Legacy Reserve, PSOA, Georgia Hospice and many others!

Who could all use a moment laughter, come join us and our dear friend Jerry Farber for his birthday celebration at the Loft of Columbus on March 7th.
For those that don't get out often, make an evening of it, dinner downstairs at the Loft of Columbus. followed by a comedy show upstairs with your openly vivacious Entertainer and Community supporter Jerry Farber.

Home | Independent Living Research Utilization ILRU, founded in 1977, has a long history of providing research, education and consultation in the areas of independent living, home and community-based services, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Wait…, we have been trying for months to get the city to expand the dial-a ride service to let people with disabilities have more access to the city and they can’t find money for that but sure let’s drop $50m on a new baseball field. 🤷🏼‍♂️

EXCLUSIVE: Baseball, major development possible for Golden Park, South Commons COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — There is a strong possibility that professional baseball could return to Golden Park if the Columbus Council approves massive renovations to the historic South Commons …

Good Morning! Switch to CCTTV for the City Council meeting for Dec 5th. The Dial-a-Ride Transportation report will be discussed during the meeting.

Attention all Fans! Access 2 Independence is proud to be an official partner with the Columbus Lions! For each season ticket sold the Lions will donate a portion of the proceeds to A2i to help bring back the Road to Independence Program. This program will allow A2i to go into the local high schools and teach students with disabilities essential life skills to ensure they live life independently and to their full potential. Be sure to use the Affiliate Code "Acceess2Independence" at check out.

I would like to wish a happy Veterans Day to all who have served. I would also like to wish a special thanks to our executive director and staff members who are veterans themselves. Freedom is not free, it is a cost that is often the ultimate sacrifice, lest we forget those who went before us and will go after us in defense of our freedoms!

https://www.wtvm.com/2023/09/28/meeting-about-columbus-metra-services-expanding-be-held/

Meeting about Columbus METRA services expanding to be held Debate over Columbus METRA services expansion is resurfacing after a presentation to the city council earlier this month from its director, Rosa Evans. The council wanted to expand to provide more services for those with disabilities while ensuring the service grows with the city.

*** ATTENTION *** *** ATTENTION ***
We need your support! Let’s make the city understand how important it is for those using Dial-A-Ride to not be restricted to the 3/4 mile radius from the fixed routes and get it increased to the max allowed by federal regulations of 1.5 miles! If you can not attend these hearings please email Metra directly to let them know you support this change. Please share this post!!! We are here advocating for your needs!!! Anyone who uses Dial-A-Ride to attend either one of these meetings will have their trip covered by A2i!

We are looking to add to our team here at A2i. Send us your resume!

https://www.wtvm.com/video/2023/09/15/interview-kirk-holcombe-rico-morrison-encourage-people-help-those-with-disabilities/

Interview: Kirk Holcombe and Rico Morrison encourage people to help those with disabilities

Access 2 Independence would like to thank Chambers OB/GYN for graciously donating $500 to help us to continue to provide essential services to those with disabilities in the Chattahoochee Valley!

A2i is aiming to raise $2.5 million dollars over the next 2 years in order to expand our Road 2 Independence Program, Home Modification Program and the Durable Medical Equipment Recycling and Distribution program while adding a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to help disabled vets navigate the VA claims process.

If you would like to donate and help A2i accomplish this goal you can go online to their website at www.access2independence.com and click the tab “Get Involved” and then “Donate” or you can click the donate button on this page. A2i is a 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.

Myself and everyone at A2i would like to thank you for your support. If you or anyone are interested in our services please visit our website, call or just visit us!

2000 Hamilton Rd. Suite B Columbus, GA 31904
706-405-2393
Www.access2independence.com

🚨💪FULL STORY: www.muscogeemuckraker.com/articles/employer-sets-example-advocates-for-worker-harmed-by-city-policy

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Get ready for some HUGE changes to the Dial-A-Ride routes. What started out as Kirk T. Holcombe and Ronaldo El Rico Morrison getting an exception to the policy evolved into the City Council approving the expansion of Dial-A-Rides coverage from the current 3/10th of a mile off of fixed routes to the federal maximum of 1.5 miles off of the fixed routes. METRA will have to do the required public hearings before making the changes. This should expand coverage to the entire city limits to include the DMV and the VA medical center with out needing a transfer at the METRA station! I encourage everyone to attended the public hearings once they are announced to show and advocate for this change! We will publish the dates once they are set! I would like like to personally thank the Access 2 Independence staff for showing support in this endeavor. I would also like to thank Jennifer LeDenney and Diane Pope from the Columbus Georgia Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities for attending and supporting the greater need for the city!

Join us tomorrow from 12-3 for the Mental Health Matters Event hosted by The Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities.